Cutter chain



'Dgc. 25, 1945. L. E. SIMMONS CUTTER CHAIN Filed Nov. 5,' 1942 Z202? E. I y I 4 A, A W I Patented Dec. 25, 1945 CUTTER cum Leon E. Simmons, Claremont, H., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application November 5, 1942, Serial No. 464,590

11 Claims.

This invention relates to cutter chains, and more particularly to improvements in cutter-bitcarrying cutter chains especially designed for use in the mining of coal. I

An object of the presentinvention is to provide a novel cutter chain. Another object is to provide an improved cutter chain having a novel chain block structure. A further object is to provide an improved chain block structure embodying a plurality of cooperating separable block parts, A further object is to provide an improved chain block structure composed of a plurality of cooperating separable parts'so arran ed and constructed that the more expensive block part is subject to less wear than the relatively cheap, readily replaceable parts, thereby increasing the life of the chain without costly replacements. How these and other objects are accomplished, and the advantageous features of the invention, will be best understood from the following detailed description wherein a preferred and illustrative embodiment is set forth, reference for the purpose being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a section of a cutter chain constructed in accordance withan illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view, with parts shown in full, taken substantially on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in longitudinal section taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line 4 4 of Fig. 1. v

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the central block parts which has a bit carrying lug.

Figs. 6 and '7 are perspective views of the side block parts respectively.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the strap links.

bar and which cooperate with the gibs 3 in the guiding of the chain about the margin of the cutter bar. Cooperating with the central block part 1 is a pair of parallel side block parts l3 and I4, and the central block part has a narrow bot- .tom, flange l5 interposed between the side block parts in the manner shown. The side block parts have lateral trunnions l6 pivotally engaged within the bores 6 in the side portions of the strap links, and the bottom flang l5 of the central block part, arranged between the side block parts, maintains the trunnions within the strap link bores. These trunnions have bores I! which are in registry with bores l8 in the flange t5 of the central block part, and arranged in these bores ll, l8 are pins I 9 which serve to hold the block parts in assembled relation. The pins are held against endwise displacement from the bores by means of conventional expansion plugs 20 which are fitted within the outer ends of the trunnion bores in th manner shown. When the chain block parts are in their assembled relation as clearly shown in Figs.

2 and 3, the bottom flange l5 of the central block part, which is interposed between the side block parts l3 and l4, holds the trunnions l6 within the strap link bores 6, and the flange of the central block part must be removed from between the side block parts before the trunnions can be released from the strap link bores.

In the event the side block parts of the chain block become worn they may be readily replaced simply by releasing the expansion plugs 20 and driving out the connecting pins I 9. When the connecting pins are released, the central block 5 parts may be readily withdrawn from between link bores 6.

circular openings 6. The chain block includes a central block part I having an integral lug 8 which is provided with a usual socket 9 adapted to receive a conventional cutter bit Ill. The lugs B have lateral projections H having guide surfaces the side block parts, and upon removal of the bottom flanges l5 between the side block parts the trunnions It may be withdrawn from the strap Thus, it will be evident that the relatively inexpensive side block parts of the .chain may be readily replaced without the necessity of the replacement of the relatively expensive central block part which carries the chain lug.

Also the strap link which are considerably less expensive than the central block parts may be readily replaced when worn. It may be noted, moreover, that should the central block parts require replacement after an unusually short time, due to wear in exceedingly hard cutting, they too may be'replaced independently of other parts.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that achainblock structure of a novel design is provided whereby the cost of replacement of the I! engageable with an outer surface of the cutter worn parts of the cutter chain may be reduced to a minimum. It will further be evident that by constructing the chain block in three distinct separable parts, the block trunnions may be held within the strap link bores in an improved manner. Also the cutter chain may be quickly assembled or dismantled due to the novel design of the chain block structure. These and other advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention ma be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a cutter chain, a chain block comprising three separable parts, one a central block part and the others side block parts, said side block parts having pivot portions, and strap links pivotally connected to said block, said strap links having pivotal connections with the pivot portions of said side block parts and having integrally connected side portions between which said block parts are arranged for holding said block parts against lateral separation, and said central block part maintaining said side block parts in spaced apart relation with the pivot portions of said side block parts in pivotal connection with the parallel side portions of said strap links.

2. In a cutter chain, a chain block, and strap links pivotally connected to said block, said chain block comprising a central part and cooperating separate side parts, and said strap links having parallel side portions between which said block parts are arranged, said side block parts having lateral trunnions and said side portions of said strap links having openings for receiving said trunnions, said central block part when arranged between said side block parts serving to hold said side block parts in spaced relation with said trunnions in said strap link openings.

3. In a cutter chain, a chain block, and strap links pivotally connected to said block, said chain block comprising a central part and cooperating separate side parts, and said strap links having parallel side portions between which said block;

parts are arranged, said side block parts having lateral trunnions and said side portions of said strap links having openings for receiving said trunnions, said central block part when arranged between said side block parts serving to hold said side block parts in spaced relation with said trunnions in said strap link openings, said trunnions having bores and said central block part having bores in registry with said trunnion bores, and

pins arranged in said bores for holding said block parts together.

4. In a cutter chain, a chain block comprising three separable parts, one a central block part and the others side block parts, said central part having a lateral lug provided with a socket,

adapted to receive a cutter bit, and strap links pivotally connected to said block, said strap links having pivotal connections with the side block parts of said block at the outer sides of said block, said pivotal connections including pivot portions carried by said side block parts and said central block part serving to hold said side block parts in spaced apart relation to maintain their pivot portions in pivotal connection with said strap links. I

5. In a cutter chain, a chain block comprising three separable parts, one a central block part and the others side block parts, said central part having a lateral lug adapted to support a cutter bit, and strap links pivotally connected to said block, said side block parts having bearing portions at the outer sides of the block and said bearing portions having pivotal connections with said strap links, and said central block part serving to hold said side block parts spaced apart to maintain said bearing portions in pivotal connection with said strap links.

6. In a cutter chain, a chain block, and strap links pivotally connected to said block, said block comprising a central part and cooperating separate side parts, said strap links and said side block parts having cooperating trunnions and trunnion-receiving openings for providing the pivotal connections between the block and strap links, said central block part serving to hold said side block parts in spaced relation to maintain said trunnions and openings in cooperating relation.

'7. In a cutter chain, a chain block, and strap links pivotally connected to said block, said block comprising a central part and cooperating separate side parts, said strap links and said side block parts having cooperating trunnions and trunnion-receiving openings for providing the pivotal connections between the block and strap links, said central block part serving to hold said side block parts in spaced relation to maintain said trunnions and openings in cooperating relation, and said central and side block parts having registering bores coaxial with said pivotal connections, and holding elements arranged in said bores for holding said block parts together.

8. In a cutter chain, a chain block, and strap links pivotally connected to said block, said block comprising a central part and cooperating separate side parts, said strap links and said side block parts having cooperating trunnions and trunnion-receiving openings for providing the pivotal connections between the block and links, said central block part serving to hold said side block parts in spaced relation to maintain said trunnions and openings in cooperating relation, and saidstrap links having portions engaging the outer sides of said block for holding said block parts against lateral separation.

9. In a cutter chain, a chain block having pivot portions at its outer sides and comprising three separable parts, one a central block part and the others side block parts, said side block parts carrying said pivot portions, and strap links pivotally connected to said block, said strap links having side portions having pivotal connections with the side block parts at the outer sides of said block, and said central block part serving to maintain said side block part in spaced apart relation with the pivot portions of said block in pivotal connection with said strap links.

10. In a cutter chain, a chain block, and strap links pivotally connected to said block, said block comprising a central part and cooperating separate side parts, said strap links having portions engaging the outer s des of said side block parts for holding said block parts against lateral separation, and cooperating bearing means on said side block parts and said strap links for providing the pivotal connections between the strap links and block, said central block part serving to hold the side block parts spaced apart to maintain said bearing means in cooperating restrap links having cooperating pivot bearing portions, said central block part serving to hold said side block parts in spaced relation to maintain said pivot bearing portions in cooperating relation, and said strap links serving to hold said block parts against lateral separation.

LEON E. SIMMONS. 

